Assessing Species Boundaries Using Multilocus Species Delimitation in a Morphologically Conserved Group of Neotropical Freshwater Fishes, the Poecilia sphenops Species Complex (Poeciliidae)

Abstract Background The taxonomy of the Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei) species complex is confused owing to great individual variation in plumage colouration seemingly unrelated to their distribution. Although generally recognised as a single species, vocal differences among the subspecies have been noted by field recordists. However, there is no study assessing the vocal differences among these four subspecies. Methods We obtained 76 sound recordings of the G. brodiei species complex comprising all four subspecies. We conducted bioacoustic examinations using principal component analysis and the Isler criterion to quantitatively test species boundaries within the G. brodiei complex. In addition, we compared plumage colouration among 13 specimens of the G. brodiei complex deposited at the Natural History Museum at Tring, UK and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore to ascertain the presence of plumage differences across taxa. Results We found the Bornean and Sumatran populations vocally similar to each other, but distinctly different from the mainland and Taiwan populations. The vocal pattern seems to corroborate plumage distinctions in the colouration of neck collars: the Bornean and Sumatran taxa share a white neck collar, whereas the continental and Taiwan taxa share a rufous neck collar. Conclusions We propose the taxonomic elevation of the Sumatran and Bornean populations to species level as Sunda Owlet G. sylvaticum, with one subspecies on Sumatra (G. s. sylvaticum) and Borneo (G. s. borneense) each. Our study corroborates the importance of bioacoustics in ascertaining species boundaries in non-passerines, and emphasises the significance of incorporating multiple species delimitation approaches when making taxonomic decisions.

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Species delimitation in the Stenocereus griseus (Cactaceae) species complex reveals a new species, S. huastecorum

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0190385 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. e0190385 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hernán Alvarado-Sizzo ◽

Alejandro Casas ◽

Fabiola Parra ◽

Hilda Julieta Arreola-Nava ◽

Teresa Terrazas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

A New Species

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Atlas of leaf surface micromorphology in Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae) from the Horn of Africa region

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.524.4.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 524 (4) ◽

pp. 261-282

Author(s):

ESHETU FENTAW ◽

KELDA F.V.A. ELLIOTT ◽

SEBSEBE DEMISSEW ◽

DAVID CUTLER ◽

OLWEN M. GRACE

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Plant Material ◽

Species Complex ◽

Leaf Surface ◽

Detailed Comparison ◽

Species Variation ◽

Leaf Epidermis ◽

Horn Of Africa ◽

Surface Micromorphology ◽

Leaf Surface Micromorphology

The confident identification to species rank of fragmentary and sterile plant material is often challenged by the absence of diagnostic characters, which are present in intact specimens, reproductive parts, and plants in habitat. Here, we consider leaf surface micromorphology for the identification of the genus Aloe in the Horn of Africa region. Primary and secondary sculpturing of the leaf epidermis and stomata were characterised from SEM micrographs of 35 taxa representing 31 species of Aloe (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae). Detailed comparison revealed that leaf surface characters are conserved between species and within-species variation is modest. Closely related taxa in the Aloe adigratana—A. camperi—A. sinana species complex could be distinguished using leaf surface micromorphology alone. These characters also guide species delimitation; in the species complex including A. schoelleri and A. steudneri, a narrow circumscription is supported, whereas with A. ankoberensis and A. pulcherrima, a wider circumscription merits consideration. The observed trait combinations are characteristic of plants in xeric environments, with the most notable feature being stomata that are most deeply sunken in species in more arid habitats. Our findings support the use of comparative study of micromorphological leaf surface characters for species identification and taxonomy in the genus Aloe.

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Correction to: Enlightening the black and white: species delimitation and UNITE species hypothesis testing in the Russula albonigra species complex

IMA Fungus ◽

10.1186/s43008-021-00079-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ruben De Lange ◽

Slavomír Adamčík ◽

Katarína Adamčíkova ◽

Pieter Asselman ◽

Jan Borovička ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hypothesis Testing ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

Black And White

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Uncovering hidden specific diversity of Andean glassfrogs of theCentrolene buckleyispecies complex (Anura: Centrolenidae)

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.5856 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e5856 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Luis Amador ◽

Andrés Parada ◽

Guillermo D’Elía ◽

Juan M. Guayasamin

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

Behavioral Data ◽

Nuclear Markers ◽

Evolutionary Significant Units ◽

Candidate Species

The glassfrogCentrolene buckleyihas been recognized as a species complex. Herein, using coalescence-based species delimitation methods, we evaluate the specific diversity within this taxon. Four coalescence approaches (generalized mixed Yule coalescents, Bayesian general mixed Yule-coalescent, Poisson tree processes, and Bayesian Poisson tree processes) were consistent with the delimitation results, identifying four lineages within what is currently recognized asC. buckleyi. We propose three new candidate species that should be tested with nuclear markers, morphological, and behavioral data. In the meantime, for conservation purposes, candidate species should be considered evolutionary significant units, in light of observed population crashes in theC. buckleyispecies complex. Finally, our results support the validity ofC. venezuelense, formerly considered as a subspecies ofC. buckleyi.

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